Cat-related Rant (maybe rescue?)

Boy, was it a relief to punch and kick this morning during Kenpo X! Yesterday, my ex called to tell me that his cat (whom I cared for from the day he moved out until early last month), is not getting along with his new roommate's dog (blood has been drawn, from what he says), that he can't find anyone to adopt the cat, and that it's getting to the point where he may have to consider a "final solution." It just broke my heart... and it made it worse to think that I drove his pet all the way from Oberlin, OH to Northampton, MA only to find a few weeks later that he might put the cat down! Just burned me up and made me so foul-tempered for the last few hours of yesterday. Could have used the Kenpo X then, perhaps, instead of acting like an angry jerk at my meeting last evening and then driving home to be a bitter hermit!

I know it's his animal, his choice, and his responsibility. I also know that I should not feel guilty, as if I sent that animal to his doom. I will even nod in agreement when my ex says that it's not what he wants to do, but he is running out of time and options as the roommate's dog nurses his wounds and the terrified cat is under constant stress from being on red alert all the time. Still, it doesn't make it any less sour. As much as I hate to admit it, I got real attached to that animal... and for a while, I get to experience what cat owners across the globe feel for their cats. It's silly of me to mourn something that isn't dead, right? Even so, those of you who are so inclined, keep the cat, Sebastian, in your prayers.... and also my ex because (as I said) he's got a hard decision to make, and as upset as I am, I don't envy his position one bit.

Oh well... I awoke today telling myself that it was a new day, and to allow myself the grace of a fresh start. Now that I have had some sleep, sweat a few buckets thanks to Mr. Horton and company, and have written a bit about it, I feel better.

Incidentally, if any of you in Western Massachusetts or thereabouts can give an ugly, but good-natured cat a loving home, please let me know.

Yeah, I am a dog-owner myself but I think it does not matter. Both dogs and cats are being 'put down', thrown out for a lot of reasons and it isn't fair. The story does break my heart a bit and I hope you/your ex find a solution soon. Isn't there a shelter somewhere close-by? Or a family that would like a pet? I do not like this 'final solution' bit at all. It is not fair to that poor creature. And why does the cat have to go and not the dog? Just out of curiosity... Twisted situation really, I would not want to find myself in it and feel for you!

StudlyScrewRite said No offense, but that is one butt-ugly cat! At first I thought you had posted a pic of Liz Taylor in a fur coat.

Oh none taken; you're 100% right. I think the reason he's so good natured is because he knows he's not pretty.Just so you know, I did put up a message to my friends in his (the ex's) town to get in touch if they can give him a home too... we'll see what happens.

Bill's ex tried this with their dog. He demanded the dog and Bill turned Dexter over to him. So then, there became the dog being a problem to the ex's cat. The dog had to go per the ex blah blah blah....Bill got a call from a mutual friend (horrible pet owner-negligent) that said she was going to take the dog. Bill was pretty distraught.

I became calmly angry, lol, and took Bill to the ex's where I stood in the yard with crossed arms while Bill went up to the ex standing at his car with said dog (man talk about nick-of-timing luck) and the ex nervously grinned at me then let Bill take Dexter back. (The ex was always afraid of me for some reason)

Three months later the ex moved out of the house he was in and left the cat behind with the landlord! What a jerk.Mr landlord wasn't happy about it and a few weeks later we had Tasha the cat. Curiously, Dexter and Tasha got along just fine.......

Bill's ex tried this with their dog. He demanded the dog and Bill turned Dexter over to him. So then, there became the dog being a problem to the ex's cat. The dog had to go per the ex blah blah blah....Bill got a call from a mutual friend (horrible pet owner-negligent) that said she was going to take the dog. Bill was pretty distraught.

I became calmly angry, lol, and took Bill to the ex's where I stood in the yard with crossed arms while Bill went up to the ex standing at his car with said dog (man talk about nick-of-timing luck) and the ex nervously grinned at me then let Bill take Dexter back. (The ex was always afraid of me for some reason)

Three months later the ex moved out of the house he was in and left the cat behind with the landlord! What a jerk.Mr landlord wasn't happy about it and a few weeks later we had Tasha the cat. Curiously, Dexter and Tasha got along just fine.......

You're ex needs to check with local pet organizations, like the Humane Society. Our local Humane Society does not euthanize animals, and they do take cats and dogs as long as there is room. When I bought a house the tenants left a cat in the house. It was a sweetheart but I don't really know how to deal with cats. I finally decided to give it to the humane society, and adopted two dogs at the same time. I had to call every day for about a month until they had room, and I had to pay $26.00 bucks for the cats first month of room and board, but that was it. He was eventually adopted by a loving cat lover.

There is also petfinder.com, which is a great resource tool. I lot of people are organizing their own pet "adoption agencies" and will help your ex find a home for the poor kitty.

I do understand that it is not getting along with the dog, but that can be worked around. As a last resort, put the cat in the bedroom, put the catbox in the closet, and don't let the cat out of the bedroom. I've known houses like this, and it keeps the peace until something else can be worked out.

To me, I just feel like euthanasia should not be an option. When I took responsibility for my dog(s) I made a commitment to that dog and myself that regardless of circumstance, the dog will have a loving and caring home, with me, for life. I have played nurse maid to some very old dogs in my time, diabetes, blindness, heart conditions, tumors, cancer, mental problems(from getting hit in the head by a car...it wasnt under my care) etc. Although it was a chore, it has been very rewarding. Come to think about it though, my family did help out a lot from time to time, and vice versa. Does he have family that would take care of the cat?

Please bring the cat to the humane society rather than let it be put to sleep.

Your ex took on the responsibility of caring for the cat when he first brought it into his life. What makes him think he can just discard it when it's no longer convenient to have it around? This is appalling. Why did he just assume it was ok to move in with a dog owner?

I have had to make several sacrifices to accommodate my cat and that is the way it should be.

The things people will do to animals. It is truly a reflection of our humanity (or lack thereof). It breaks my heart.

SAHEM62896 saidBoy, was it a relief to punch and kick this morning during Kenpo X! Yesterday, my ex called to tell me that his cat (whom I cared for from the day he moved out until early last month), is not getting along with his new roommate's dog (blood has been drawn, from what he says), that he can't find anyone to adopt the cat, and that it's getting to the point where he may have to consider a "final solution." It just broke my heart... and it made it worse to think that I drove his pet all the way from Oberlin, OH to Northampton, MA only to find a few weeks later that he might put the cat down! Just burned me up and made me so foul-tempered for the last few hours of yesterday. Could have used the Kenpo X then, perhaps, instead of acting like an angry jerk at my meeting last evening and then driving home to be a bitter hermit!

I know it's his animal, his choice, and his responsibility. I also know that I should not feel guilty, as if I sent that animal to his doom. I will even nod in agreement when my ex says that it's not what he wants to do, but he is running out of time and options as the roommate's dog nurses his wounds and the terrified cat is under constant stress from being on red alert all the time. Still, it doesn't make it any less sour. As much as I hate to admit it, I got real attached to that animal... and for a while, I get to experience what cat owners across the globe feel for their cats. It's silly of me to mourn something that isn't dead, right? Even so, those of you who are so inclined, keep the cat, Sebastian, in your prayers.... and also my ex because (as I said) he's got a hard decision to make, and as upset as I am, I don't envy his position one bit.

Oh well... I awoke today telling myself that it was a new day, and to allow myself the grace of a fresh start. Now that I have had some sleep, sweat a few buckets thanks to Mr. Horton and company, and have written a bit about it, I feel better.

Incidentally, if any of you in Western Massachusetts or thereabouts can give an ugly, but good-natured cat a loving home, please let me know.

It really bothers me when people (like your ex, not you) do this. I have had all manner of pets, and they've always gotten along just fine because I've TAKEN THE TIME TO PROPERLY INTRODUCE THEM. It can take days or weeks, and it can be a lot of work, but they're pets. It's worth it. I mean, if he had a toddler, and then a baby and the toddler didn't like the baby, would he have one put down? It's already been said much more eloquently than I could, so I'll just quote:

"Many of you have forgotten this truth, but you must never forget it: you are forever responsible for what you have tamed." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Petfinder's a good site. Also, don't be afraid of other outlets -- I got my cats through Craigslist of all places, and getting the little guys has been one of the best decisions I've made in the past 3 years.